We don’t accept Tibetan Women’s Day on Women’s Uprising Day: TWA President

[Thursday, March 08, 2018 19:46]

By Tenzin Monlam

Phayul Photo: Kunsang Gashon

DHARAMSHALA, March 8: We don’t accept Tibetan Women’s Day if the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) continues to observe it on the day of the Tibetan Women’s Uprising anniversary or March 12, said Dolma Yangchen, President of Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) today in Dharamshala.

“March 12 Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day represents an important day in the Tibet’s political history and the Tibetan struggle. So TWA Center and Regional chapters will not be accepting CTA’s Tibetan Women’s Day,” she said, adding that they have exhausted every option and requested numerous times to the Cabinet (Kashag) to move the day of celebration to another date.

Aimed at spreading awareness on gender inclusivity and equality, TWA and Dharamshala Regional TWA today jointly organized an event ‘Press for progress’ to celebrate the International Women’s Day at the main square of Mcleod Ganj.

“Tibetan women in Tibet are subjected to forced birth control, sterilization and abortion without their consent and many young women kidnapped from their homes are forced into prostitution. Hence it is crucial for everyone to come together against such inhuman acts by the Chinese authorities,” the press release said.

“Like any other women of the world, Tibetan women too have similar potentials. Therefore, we must use this opportunity of being in a free country to hone our potentials and be ambassadors of Tibet,” said Dawa Dolma, Women Environment and Development Officer at TWA.

The largest women’s association of Tibetan diaspora also urged the Tibetan administration to be more active in dealings with NGOs, to provide them guidance and exchange ideas.

The first Tibetan Women’s Day was attended by Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Tsuglagkhang last year.